Archive | Destinations

When planning our summer holidays we tend to think first of visiting the most popular destinations. London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Rome – these are the European cities that probably figure at the top of our travel bucket list. These cities attract millions of tourists each year and one can get lost in the crowd. Holidays in off-the-beaten path destinations, such as Eastern Europe, can not only be less crowded, but also quite affordable, especially if you haven’t inherited a fortune or won the EuroMillions lottery.

Bulgaria, for example, is a country definitely worth visiting. In the summer months the beaches are particularly inviting and in the winter the ski slopes are on a world class level. Bulgaria boasts incredible nature, fascinating history and culture, and a national cuisine that will make your visit thoroughly enjoyable.

Here are five places worth visiting on your upcoming trip to Bulgaria.

Sofia – The capital of Bulgaria is the perfect place to start, especially as many major international airlines have regular flights to the city. Sofia’s main attractions are located in its centre and you can see most of them in a day. If you spend more than 24 hours in Sofia, you can use it as the perfect base for outings into the countryside. A visit to Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia’s iconic landmark, is a must but visitors will also enjoy seeing the Rotunda of St. George, the city’s oldest church located in the courtyard of the Sofia Hotel Balkan.

Rila Monastery – Just an hour and a half’s drive south of Sofia, this monastery is located in a serene mountain setting. The main church at its centre has a dark interior but colourful frescoes with Biblical themes and black and white striped pillars outside. Two stories of wooden structure surround a central cobblestone courtyard and in the distance one can see the peaks of the Rila Mountains, white-capped with snow much of the year. The monastery is named for Bulgaria’s patron saint, Ivan Rilski, a hermit who lived in a nearby cave.

Plovdiv – Bulgaria’s second city is also one of the oldest in Europe. There are many sites dating back to antiquity including a Roman theatre still in use for cultural events today. No visit to Plovdiv would be complete without a walk through the Old Town where galleries and museums are located inside colourfully well-preserved houses built in the Bulgarian Renaissance architectural style.

Black Sea – Bulgaria has no shortage of beaches for those who prefer to tan on the sand, as well as a pristine coastline with undisturbed views of the sea. Many tourists prefer the ultra-modern resorts in Golden Sands and Sunny Beach, but adventurous visitors will find fascinating towns a short distance away.

Koprivshtitsa – Its name is a bit hard to pronounce but this small village an hour’s journey east of Sofia is definitely worth a visit. The village is a prime example of Bulgarian renaissance architecture dating to the mid-1800s. Many of the beautifully restored houses, with their brightly coloured exterior walls, serve as ethnographic and historical museums. Step inside and you’ll feel as if you’ve been transported back to the 1870s, when Bulgarian revolutionaries used Koprivshtitsa as their base when fighting the Ottomans for Bulgaria’s independence.

There is much more to see in Bulgaria than the five places mentioned here. The best thing to do is to set off for your Bulgarian adventure today!

While many people fly for the first time when they are children, many people grow up and have never set foot on a plane. Some people might have a fear of heights that prevents them from flying, while others might think they will get too travel sick on the plane to really be able to handle a lengthy journey in the air. Here are some tips to help you have a great first experience on a plane.

Fly short-haul

Don’t book your first flight to go across half the world to a brand new destination. Fly to a neighbouring country or other city in your country. Limit your journey to 2-3 hours. This will give you the chance to experience what being on a plane is like without having to suffer the challenges that come with flying long-haul.

Take time to prepare your paperwork

Without your passport, boarding passes and any visas you need, you’ll have massive problems at the airport when the time comes to fly. You need to prepare in advance to make sure you have a valid passport. Passports normally take a couple of months to apply for and be issued to you, so you shouldn’t book a flight last minute if you don’t have a passport.

Choose a destination you really want to see

If you’re excited about seeing a new place and staying in a new destination, it’ll make your entire trip much more enjoyable. For example, if you’ve always wanted to enjoy a relaxing beach holiday, you can book Bali villas in Seminyak and spend a week or two on the beach. Alternatively, visit one of the cities that you’ve always wanted to see, such as Sydney, Hong Kong or further afield such as Paris or Rome.

Travel with a friend

Travel with a close friend or partner when you fly for the first time, unless you’re very excited about going alone and think that a trip away on your own will be good for you. Experiencing things with people are usually more enjoyable than doing things alone.

Check out the rules on luggage

Different airlines have different rules about how much luggage you can take. You might have hold luggage allowance that you can make use of – this will go in the hold compartment of the plane and will be taken off you before you fly and then returned when you land. Your cabin luggage can go on the plane with you and will go in the overhead lockers above the seats. There are measurement requirements on these and weight requirements too, and if you go over these limits, you might be asked to get rid of some items or move them into your hold luggage.

Buy snacks beforehand

Food and drinks are very expensive on planes, and unless you’re flying long-haul, it’s unlikely that you’ll be getting any free drinks or snacks. You might get a small packet of peanuts and a glass of juice of water free of charge, but if you want more food, you can purchase it beforehand airport and take it on the plane with you.

Although exotic and spectacular, Bali is surprisingly a not so expensive travel destination. It’s actually budget-friendly, if you know how to plan and you do it ahead. The ongoing waves of tourists visiting the island did not make the prices go up, luckily. Seasoned visitors say that $50 a day is good enough if you’re committed to enjoying Bali. Here’s what you need to pay attention to for staying within the budget:

The transport

Apart from flights (which you must book in advance), every region in Bali will require you to find an affordable means of transportation, because you’ll be visiting around. Taxis are convenient, but also the most pricey. To spare your budget, you could rent a motorbike, which can be only $3 per day. Also, it’s fun. If you’re not inclined to drive yourself, then opt for a motorbike with a driver.

The accommodation

Bali hotels are for the rich. Hostels and other places for backpackers are cheap but can be such a nuisance. Instead, why not choose private villa accommodation, since prices can be as low as $11 a night? If you’re bringing a group of friends along, you can all stay within the same house, as long as you pick the correct bedroom count. Bali luxury villas Seminyak offers are ideal for those with a taste for comfort and style, so if you’re going to Seminyak you must consider those.

Eating out

While hotel restaurants treat guests to delicious local dishes, like spicy noodle soup or the amazing martabak pancakes, street food is also recommended to the curious. This is incredibly cheap – you can eat well with less than $2. Don’t be shy and visit a warung as well – this is the generic term for local Balinese restaurants with smaller prices than the hotel ones. Stay away from European-owned or other such venues, because those are pricey.

Is the spa worth it?

If you’re in for a spa treatment, start with a massage house. The expense is minimal (around 6$) and is worth it. One hour of massage is definitely rejuvenating. Of course, the more you add to it (herbal essences, oils etc.), the more expensive it becomes. Stay away from spas situated within facilities such as a luxury hotel.

Beach activities

Who can stay away from surfing, parasailing or other beach and water sports in Bali? The weather conditions and the whole setting are marvelous after all. Even better, you can negotiate the price, especially if you’re opting for more of the kind or if you’re not alone.

What to avoid

Besides what was already mentioned, there are several other temptations that can waste your hard-earned money. One of them is the overpriced cocktail, latte or even beer or water bottle. Then, souvenir shops and markets may make you spend more than planned; make sure you have a clear idea of what you want and resist the impulse to buy more. Concerning flight tickets, book anything related early on. Any late purchase from the airline may cost you more. Buy everything online in advance.

Before departure, remember to check how much your bank charges for ATM withdrawals and credit card usage. Tourists, who forget this detail, are later shocked to see they have much less money in the bank than expected.

Let’s be honest, no one enjoys spending the winter months in the UK and January in particular can be a pretty depressing time. After the joys of Christmas, the cold weather and going back to work can leave in the most positive person feeling low. So why not switch up your holiday time and rather than go away in the summer like the masses, head abroad in winter and enjoy sunshine instead of sorry this winter.

There are so many places you can head for a warm winter but here at Travel Wire we’ve selected our top three favourite destinations so you don’t have to waste time doing the research.

USA

Hiking the Kaibab Trail in the Grand Canyon (Creative Commons)

There are so many places in the US that have warm weather during our cold winter that it’s impossible to list them all here. The obvious choice if you have kids is to buy tickets to an Orlando theme park in Florida. But you also have Arizona, Texas and Hawaii to choose from if theme parks aren’t your thing. So why not try your hand at surfing in Oahu, go hiking in the Grand Canyon National Park or visit a real Texas rodeo instead. The choices are endless.

South East Asia

On the other side of the world you’ve got South East Asia with a multitude of different experiences to be had. If you want to relax by the beach then one of the islands in the South of Thailand is your best bet. We recommend Koh Phangan although be mindful to avoid the full moon period if partying is not your thing. Or visit the many beautiful temples in Northern Thailand, which Chiang Mai has an abundance of. If shopping is your idea of a treat, then you’ll want to visit Singapore, where the only cold you’ll experience is the chill of air conditioning. There’s also Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia and so much more to choose from.

Phra Singh temple in Chiang Mai (Creative Commons)

The Caribbean

The Caribbean is an obvious choice for warm weather in winter but is often left of people’s list because it’s deemed too expensive, but you can find very affordable deals online for places such as Barbados and why not try the all-inclusive option in places such as Cancun or Playa del Carmen on the Caribbean Coast of Mexico? All inclusive options might look expensive at first glance but when you do the math, you do safe time and money going the all-inclusive route.

There really is no excuse to suffer the cold this winter, with so many accessible and affordable options, you really should think about booking that winter get away today.

For all of us in the Northern Hemisphere, winter has fully installed itself – with snow, rain and cold weather. While some of us may like this kind of “wintery atmosphere” and while bad weather may be more “traditionally Christmas-like” (or at least for people living in temperate climates), a lot of people would gladly escape the nastiness of winter and run to a place where warmth and parties never end.

Fuerteventura may be precisely what you are searching for. With so many holiday packages in Fuerteventura to choose from, the idea of going there in the middle of the winter will be genuinely appealing – and even more so considering the fact that these holidays are quite inexpensive as well.

Why is it that Fuerteventura is such a great travel destination and why is it that tourists flock to it every year, regardless of the season outside? Read on and find out more.

Playa de la Escalero, Fuerteventura (Creative Commons)

The Lovely Landscape

The Canary Islands (and, implicitly, Fuerteventura too) are absolutely spectacular from the point of view of the landscape they offer. If you are a photographer or if you simply like soaking into the sea of beauty this kind of places provide their tourists with, you will love Fuerteventura. In fact, it is quite likely that your love for Fuerteventura will turn into a long-term relationship because once you get a taste of this, you will surely want to return.

And as if Mother Nature hadn’t been generous enough with the people living on this thin strip of Heaven on Earth, Fuerteventura can pride itself with a rather spectacular zoo as well – the Oasis Park Fuerteventura. It is definitely worth visiting, and even more so if you plan on coming here with children!

Fuerteventura (Creative Commons)

Large Number of Attractions

It is nearly impossible to get bored in Fuerteventura because the place is sprinkled with little wonders – all of which are beautiful and worthy of attention in their own way. Iglesia Catedral de Santa Maria de Betancuria is just one of the beautiful churches in the area – and it is one you will love both for the architecture and for the way it seems to blend perfectly into the “background” as well.

Also, if you do manage to get to Fuerteventura, don’t forget about the Dreams House Museum – a museum dedicated entirely to the adorableness of toys and to the high attention to detail both toys and car/ship models are created.

All in all, Fuerteventura can provide you with the perfect escape from the winter. With a milder weather and with the perfect holiday atmosphere at the same time too. this small spot on the Canary Islands is the kind that will haunt you forever!

With a fabulous history and with thinkers whose works lie at the very foundation of modern Western society, Greece has plenty of things to be proud of. If you add this to the fact that, every year, they attract people from all over the world and to the fact that their beaches can satisfy almost any kind of tourist, you definitely understand why Greece is so much beloved by so many.

Your 2015 all-inclusive Kos Holiday can be a dream come true. Somewhere in between perfect pricing and exquisite experiences, an all-inclusive holiday here can really provide you with all the peace of mind and fun you’ve been seeking this past year.

Which are the things everyone loves about the marvellous Greek island of Kos? Read on and find out more.

Refreshments in Kardamena, Kos, Greece (Creative Commons)

The Hippocrates Tree

Greek is a land sprinkled with legend and mystery – even today, when the vast majority of the country follows the Christian Orthodox religion. The Hippocrates Tree is the mythological tree under which Hippocrates is said to have taught his pupils. As you probably know it, Hippocrates is considered to be the father of modern medicine – even though The Hippocrates Tree cannot be actually confirmed to be “genuine”, it is still a nice attraction Kos offers. And if you do get to visit this, don’t forget about Asclepeion as well – an ancient healing centre also associated with great Hippocrates.

The Bubble Beach

Even if you are staying in a different resort, visiting the Bubble Beach is more than worth it – and even more so if you like water sports and swimming. This place is full of positive vibes and young people so be prepared to “recharge” yourself with great energy. Jet skis, parasailing and many other water sport fun options are waiting for you here!

The Kos Natural Park

If stunning landscapes is what you are searching for, you should not miss out on the fabulous Kos Natural Park. We guarantee the amazing nature you will find here will imprint in your memory and that it will stay there for a very, very long time! Come, breathe in the beauty of the nature here and relax your eyes and soul upon this park’s great marvels.

The Eleftherias Square

If you want a taste of the local spirit mixed with the touristic buzz, don’t forget to visit the Eleftherias Square. Full of energy and packed with attractions and points of interest, this square will make for wonderful memories – and for great pictures as well.

Book your Kos holiday as soon as possible and you will reap all the benefits that come with being an “early bird” – including lower prices and more options to choose from. Aside from that, relax yourself and enjoy this amazing Greek island!

Among other things, people travel to unwind and to get away from the stress brought about by everyday life. With the innovations in modern technology, you can still stay in touch with the rest of the world, receive urgent messages, settle bills and other payments, and even play bingo games anywhere on your mobile or tablet. The internet combined with the current technology makes it possible to manage tasks and other paperwork from a remote site should there be a need to do something right away making it totally possible for you to go on a much needed holiday. If a trip to unwind is just the kind of getaway that you are rooting for, here are some suggestions on the best places to rest your mind and your body:

Necker Island, Caribbean. Most of the Virgin Islands in the Caribbean still belong to the British Government but this particular island is privately owned. The island is owned by Richard Branson, a popular entrepreneur who is the founder of Virgin Group. Necker Island can be rented from August to October and you can own the entire island complete with the staff and the accommodations. The rent doesn’t come cheap but it is totally worth it as there is nothing more exciting than owning the entire place even just for a while.

Chiang Mai, Thailand. If tranquility is just the thing that you are looking forward to during your holiday, then Chiang Mai happens to be one of the best destinations as you are surrounded by a rural scenery featuring Mt. Suthep and the river on the other side. There are also a lot of five star hotels in the area. North Thailand has a wealth of culture and you can have a better appreciation of this when you decide to drop by the shrines and temples that showcase fancy designs and ornate decorations. You can also grab the opportunity to explore Siam, the country’s former capital.

Chiang Mai, Thailand (Creative Commons)

Maldives. This may be but a small place but it has a bottled up beauty which makes it attractive to a lot of tourists. With over a thousand islands, Maldives is certainly one of the best getaways for those who are looking for some peace and quiet. The soothing view of the sea, in all directions, will surely direct your stressful thoughts away with its awesome marine life. Diving and Snorkeling are favorite activities in Maldives aside from bumming in the beach and swimming. Expect a Maldivian holiday to be filled by a serene charm as you enjoy your time tasting what heaven might be like while on earth.

Maldives (Creative Commons)

Patagonia, Chile and Argentina Border. If a combination of beauty and peace is what you are looking for, Patagonia is certainly a good choice. This place is not really unknown and there are also tourists who are visiting the place to relax. With its warm weather and constantly cloudless blue skies, you can feel a sense of being at peace while enjoying the view before you. The place is dotted with small resorts, so you won’t have a lot of problems should you decide to stay for a bit.

Easter Island, Chile. If you wish to be far away from other people and crowds are the last thing that you are looking forward to during this vacation, the Easter Island is definitely a good destination. The Easter Island is full of stone structures which are fashioned into huge heads and are ancient and they have been around for years. However, the mystery as to why they exist and who created them is still shrouded by doubt.

Life can be a bit demanding at times especially when you have a really stressful job but it is not an excuse to miss out on some well-deserved rest and recreation. If you are willing to pay for some peace and quiet, these destinations are definitely a must.

Sun City Resort is South Africa’s largest holiday resort, famous world-wide for its varied entertainment opportunities. The luxurious resort is suited for any type of tourists. Families with children, couples or single travelers looking for some quiet moments for themselves or for business opportunities can find it all here.

Specially designed travel packages

Sun City offers to its guests special deals and packages, designed to satisfy the client’s needs and expectations in detail. There are three packages which include one of the four accommodation places and a few of the local attractions. There is the Sun City and Safari pack which includes accommodation in the elegant Cascades Hotel and a 8 days long safari which offer the opportunity to see wild animals in their natural habitat. The Cabanas and Zambezi Sun package was designed with families in mind. It features tours to Victoria falls and accommodation at the Cabanas, being the best pick for travelers who look for a great value for money package. Honeymooners can indulge in a 6 days vacation and a romantic stay at the luxurious Palace of the Lost City hotel.

Golf destination

Sun City provides the best golfing courses in Africa, designed by a professional golf player. One of the courses was named by its creator, Gary Player, while the other one is romantically called The Lost City Golf Course. Both have challenging sections for every golf player, either a pro or an amateur.

Sun City Casino

Located inside the Sun City hotel, the casino offers gambling opportunities for all players. It features card games, slot machines and private saloons, where experienced players can get the game to another level. Sun City Casino also offers a unique service as it teaches guests to gamble for free, at the Sun City School of Gaming. Groups can benefit from the “Fun Evening” packages.

Fun online gambling

Those visiting Sun City resort should know that they care gamble online too. If you would like to play some quality poker but you don’t have the time to attend the School of Gaming you can always watch the online tutorials and step into the poker rooms at Full Tilt Poker. There are numerous gaming opportunities and you will be surprised to see that if you are visiting from USA this is one of the places you can gamble online.

Enjoy water games in the Valley of the Waves

The pumping heart of the Sun City resort is the water park The Valley of the Waves. It offers many water slides, from the scaring rides of 17 meters to the laziest water slides which can provide fun hours for children. The water park also has an artificial volcano which erupts regularly, a sandy beach washed away by artificial waves and an impressive collection of trees and palms.

Game viewing in Sun City

Sun City is a luxurious green oasis in the middle of the South African dessert, but there are plenty of animals to see, as the resort is placed near two big natural reservations. The guests of Sun City can enjoy game viewing during a safari in Pilanesburg Game Reserve or Madikwe Game Reserve.

It was our final evening as we gathered around a small table in our lodge. The students took turns talking about their favorite memories, locations, and activities, as we passed around the bandana one final time before cutting and dividing it. I looked around and couldn’t believe the changes I saw in these young adults. Their features, still engraved in my memory, were exactly the same as 3 weeks ago, yet their mannerisms and conversations had drastically matured. Each student had become an individual in just 3 short weeks, something that takes teens years to accomplish.

Growth and maturity are just two outcomes of student educational tours with Chill Expeditions. EarthConnect, our summer service learning opportunity for teens, is a dynamic summer abroad experience that goes beyond camp or your typical student tour. Each program dives into the intricate layers of history, geography, politics, agriculture, culinary traditions and natural environments that create such a unique culture in each country. The expansive knowledge gained, rich connections made with both peers and locals, and the incredible adventures experienced turns teens from mundane experiences to enriching their childhood and beyond.

Tours that focus on Eco-immersion give pupils the opportunity to truly explore. In Costa Rica our program visits one of the most biologically diverse places on earth, while working hand in hand with a local biologist researching dolphins and frogs. We hear his stories of how he became fascinated by his back yard, the Gulfo Dulce and primary rainforests, his neighbors, and the dolphins and frogs that surround him. We become an active participant in his research project while soaking in the extreme beauty that surrounds us. We leverage the relationships that our team, along with Costa Rican communities, has worked hard to create, to build an experience of teaching, listening and giving that builds a foundation for students to maintain in the future.

In Spain, stay with local Andalucian families as we become a part of their families. We walk to school with our brothers and sisters and cook with the moms, while learning about the importance of food in the Spanish culture. We take advantage of being outdoors in the mountains and rivers, which is a large part of the Spanish lifestyle, and getting behind the scenes of important cultural components such as cuisine and music.

In Ecuador, we connect with a group of local teens while exploring the country side by side. Discover the meaning of teamwork as we travel six days without stepping foot in a car. Our feet, bikes and canoes will be our modes of transportation! Breathe in the fresh air of the mystical cloud forests and share stories with our peers on what life is like as an Ecuadorian versus American teen.

Student educational tours and summer programs are the best ways for teens and young adults to step into a different reality, later reflecting on their own situation at home. Three years have passed since my first summer experience with teens. Through staying in touch with the students that traveled on EarthConnect, the impact the experience had still stands strong. One student traveled to a school in the Bahamas to pursue his deep interest in biology and conservation, which was sparked during his time in the Gulfo Dulce. Another student is leading community service projects in his hometown using the sustainable model and procedures he picked up in Costa Rica. It is these experiences that make Chill Expeditions team members so passionate on what we do.

Crawford Hill is the owner and director of Chill Expeditions, an educational travel company focused on cultural immersion. An expedition leader, former biology teacher, and educational innovator, Hill has been guiding students and adults on wilderness adventures since 1974. Over the years, Hill has led thousands of students and families on experiential learning trips to Costa Rica, Belize, the Galapagos Islands, Peru and Spain. Hill revels in the opportunity to be able to work with students and families across the country with the world as his classroom.

A holiday can be whatever you want it to be. Whether you enjoy relaxing in the sun with a cool drink or exploring some beautiful coastlines, a holiday can be as action-packed or as chilled out as you want.

The one thing that every holiday should be is stress free. When you’ve been working hard and saving up the pennies, you deserve to have the best holiday you can possibly have. That means not having to worry about the little, annoying things, like airport transfers or where the nearest supermarket is. That means choosing an all-inclusive provider that can take care of the smaller details for you.

If you want to take some time for you, then Club Med luxury breaks are what you’re looking for. They offer a range of tailor-made, all-inclusive holidays designed to give you the best possible experience.

In 2013, the exotic is never too far away. In addition to the traditional favourites of Italy, France and Turkey, you can now experience far-flung locations in luxury surroundings. From the intimate atmosphere of your own private riad in Marrakech, lazing in the shade of the palm trees, to the stunning azure waters of gorgeous Mauritius, scuba diving amongst tropical fish, you can now open your mind to places you never thought you’d get to visit.

One such place is the magical Maldives, somewhere fully deserving of the label ‘paradise’. Your own luxury suite, suspended on stilts in the midst of a sparkling turquoise lagoon, it provides all the modern conveniences of 21st century living, whilst enabling you to fully absorb all the natural beauty around you. Wherever else you travel, the white sands of the Maldives will leave you wanting to come back to time and time again.

Or perhaps you’d prefer somewhere a little more familiar, if no less spectacular. The stunning greenery and invigorating mountain air, France’s Val d’Isere and Valmorel have to be seen to be believed. The views are even better enjoyed from the serenity of your own private chalet balcony, enjoying the sunrise with a fresh cup of coffee or the sunset with a soothing glass of vintage red wine.

Cancun (Creative Commons)

For those wishing to try the alluring beaches of the tropics, it is also possible to sample a once in a lifetime trip to Cancun, Mexico. You could take a day trip to one of the seven wonders of the world, Chichen Itza, or have the unforgettable experience of swimming with dolphins. Or perhaps just to relax in the Five Trident Luxury Space, with concierge and room service, as well as your own private minibar.